Ronnie O’Sullivan has pulled out of the Championship League tournament, just days before his opening round match against John Higgins at the Masters.The 49-year-old hopes to win a record-extending ninth Masters championship in the coming days, but his preparations for the highly anticipated event have been less than ideal.
He lost three of his four Championship League group round matches on Wednesday.
Following a 3-2 defeat against Robert Milkins, the seven-time world champion withdrew from the BetVictor event before his last Group Three encounter.
O’Sullivan, visibly irritated, vented his rage several times during Thursday’s game against Milkins.
He missed a simple blue in the first frame, and his reaction was strange, to say the least, as he splashed his legs and stuck his tongue out. Milkins then clinched the frame.
Later, O’Sullivan banged his cue on the table several times at the Mattioli Arena before losing 3-2. He is believed to have tossed his snooker cue in the rubbish at the players’ lounge following Thursday’s game.
‘The Rocket’ was supposed to face Ali Carter at 2 p.m., but after deciding to retire, all of O’Sullivan’s Championship League matches will be invalid.
“He certainly imploded during that opening game,” stated the announcer.
“He was furious with nothing but himself; the way he was playing, things weren’t going well. He plainly did not want to be here, and he has made the decision to withdraw.
O’Sullivan was visibly frustrated during the defeat to Milkins. Image credit: X/@RonnieTracker
Here’s how fans on social media reacted to O’Sullivan’s decision to withdraw from the competition.
One said: “I think he’s at the stage of his career where his performance is dropping and he isn’t able to accept that he isn’t as good anymore. I do wonder if he even practices much anymore, especially if only a UK tournament.”
A second wrote: “In the last 18 months – 2 years – The Rocket has become insufferable – and I’ve been a huge fan for over 20 years. I used to hate seeing him lose, but I hope Higgins turns him over on Sunday.”
A third commented: “This guy shows no respect to tournaments, unless they are in China or Saudi where he is probably been paid a fortune to turn up,” and a fourth said: “Will be interesting to see what cue he has for masters.”
A fifth added: “Have you ever seen this in any sport where a guy can just quit halfway through tournaments and withdraw a week prior from home nations events I know he’s a big seller but it makes the sport look like a clown show.
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